Atmospheric Ozone

Peter Fabian and Martin Dameris provide a concise yet comprehensive overview of established scientific knowledge about ozone in the atmosphere. They present both ozone changes and trends in the stratosphere, as well as the effects of overabundance in the troposphere including the phenomenon of photosmog. Aspects such as photochemistry, atmospheric dynamics and global ozone distribution as well as various techniques for ozone measurement are treated. The authors outline the various causes for ozone depletion, the effects of ozone pollution and the relation to climate change. The book provides a handy reference guide for researchers active in atmospheric ozone research and a useful introduction for advanced students specializing in this field. Non-specialists interested in this field will also profit from reading the book. Peter Fabian can look back on a life-long active career in ozone research, having first gained international recognition for his measurements of the global distribution of halogenated hydrocarbons. He also pioneered photosmog investigations in the metropolitan areas of Munich, Berlin, Athens and Santiago de Chile, and his KROFEX facility provided controlled ozone fumigation of adult tree canopies for biologists to investigate the effects of ozone increases on forests. Besides having published a broad range of scientific articles, he has also been the author or editor of numerous books. From 2002 to 2005 he served the European Geosciences Union (EGU) as their first and Founding President. Martin Dameris is a prominent atmospheric modeler whose interests include the impacts of all kinds of natural and man-made disturbances on the atmospheric system. His scientific work focuses on the connections between ozone and climate changes. For many years he has been an active contributor to the WMO scientific ozone depletion assessments, which have been used to monitor the depletion and recovery of the ozone layer in accordance with the Montreal Protocol.

Ozone, an important trace component, is critical to life on Earth and to atmospheric chemistry. The presence of ozone profoundly impacts the physical structure of the atmosphere and meteorology. Ozone is also an important photolytic source for HO radicals, the driving force for most of the chemistry that occurs in the lower atmosphere, is essential to shielding biota, and is the only molecule in the atmosphere that provides protection from UV radiation in the 250-300 nm region. However, recent concerns regarding environmental issues have inspired a need for a greater understanding of ozone, and the effects that it has on the Earth's atmosphere. The Mechanisms of Reactions Influencing Atmospheric Ozone provides an overview of the chemical processes associated with the formation and loss of ozone in the atmosphere, meeting the need for a greater body of knowledge regarding atmospheric chemistry. Renowned atmospheric researcher Jack Calvert and his coauthors discuss the various chemical and physical properties of the earth's atmosphere, the ways in which ozone is formed and destroyed, and the mechanisms of various ozone chemical reactions in the different spheres of the atmosphere. The volume is rich with valuable knowledge and useful descriptions, and will appeal to environmental scientists and engineers alike. A thorough analysis of the processes related to tropospheric ozone, The Mechanisms of Reactions Influencing Atmospheric Ozone is an essential resource for those hoping to combat the continuing and future environmental problems, particularly issues that require a deeper understanding of atmospheric chemistry.

The destruction of the ozone layer, together with global warming, is one of the hot environmental topics of today. This book examines the effect of human activities on atmospheric ozone, namely the increase of tropospheric ozone and the general diminution of stratospheric ozone and the production of the Antarctic ozone hole. Also discussed is the role of remote sensing techniques in the understanding of the effects of human activities on atmospheric ozone as well as in the development of social and political awareness of the damage to the ozone layer by man-made chemicals, principally CFCs. This led to the formulation and ratification in 1989 of the Montreal Protocol on controlling/banning the manufacture and use of chemicals that damage the ozone layer. Since then, remote sensing has played a key role in monitoring atmospheric ozone concentration and determining the success of the Montreal Protocol in protecting the ozone layer from further damage. In this book, the renowned authors discuss the sophisticated instruments that have been launched into space to study not only ozone but also other trace gases in the atmosphere, some of which play a key role in the generation and destruction of ozone in the atmosphere. Professors Cracknell and Varotsos also examine the satellite-flown instruments which are involved in monitoring the absorption of solar ultraviolet light in the atmosphere in relation both to the generation and destruction of ozone and consequently to human health. This scholarly book, written by the foremost experts in the field, looks at remote sensing and its employment in the various aspects of ozone science. It is widely acknowledged that global warming, due to anthropogenic greenhouse gases emissions, represents a threat to the sustainability of human life on Earth. However, many other threats are potentially just as serious, including atmospheric pollution, ozone depletion, water pollution, the degradation of agricultural land, deforestation, the depletion of the world's mineral resources and population growth.

Proceedings of the Quadrennial Ozone Symposium held in Halkidiki, Greece, September 3-7, 1984

Peter Fabian and Martin Dameris provide a concise yet comprehensive overview of established scientific knowledge about ozone in the atmosphere. They present both ozone changes and trends in the stratosphere, as well as the effects of overabundance in the troposphere including the phenomenon of photosmog. Aspects such as photochemistry, atmospheric dynamics and global ozone distribution as well as various techniques for ozone measurement are treated. The authors outline the various causes for ozone depletion, the effects of ozone pollution and the relation to climate change. The book provides a handy reference guide for researchers active in atmospheric ozone research and a useful introduction for advanced students specializing in this field. Non-specialists interested in this field will also profit from reading the book. Peter Fabian can look back on a life-long active career in ozone research, having first gained international recognition for his measurements of the global distribution of halogenated hydrocarbons. He also pioneered photosmog investigations in the metropolitan areas of Munich, Berlin, Athens and Santiago de Chile, and his KROFEX facility provided controlled ozone fumigation of adult tree canopies for biologists to investigate the effects of ozone increases on forests. Besides having published a broad range of scientific articles, he has also been the author or editor of numerous books. From 2002 to 2005 he served the European Geosciences Union (EGU) as their first and Founding President. Martin Dameris is a prominent atmospheric modeler whose interests include the impacts of all kinds of natural and man-made disturbances on the atmospheric system. His scientific work focuses on the connections between ozone and climate changes. For many years he has been an active contributor to the WMO scientific ozone depletion assessments, which have been used to monitor the depletion and recovery of the ozone layer in accordance with the Montreal Protocol.

Natural and human-induced changes in Earth's interior, land surface, biosphere, atmosphere, and oceans affect all aspects of life. Understanding these changes requires a range of observations acquired from land-, sea-, air-, and space-based platforms. To assist NASA, NOAA, and USGS in developing these tools, the NRC was asked to carry out a "decadal strategy" survey of Earth science and applications from space that would develop the key scientific questions on which to focus Earth and environmental observations in the period 2005-2015 and beyond, and present a prioritized list of space programs, missions, and supporting activities to address these questions. This report presents a vision for the Earth science program; an analysis of the existing Earth Observing System and recommendations to help restore its capabilities; an assessment of and recommendations for new observations and missions for the next decade; an examination of and recommendations for effective application of those observations; and an analysis of how best to sustain that observation and applications system.